Why most people are bad at mathematics - Neil deGrasse Tyson asks Richard Dawkins

Cosmology Today™
24 Dec 201505:16
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script explores the human mind's capacity for knowledge, thought, and belief, particularly in relation to mathematics and logic. It questions why, if our brains were wired for logical thinking, math is often seen as a difficult subject. The conversation touches on societal attitudes towards math and the pride some people take in their lack of mathematical ability, contrasting with the lack of pride in other areas of ignorance. The discussion also delves into the role of illogical thinking in human survival and civilization, suggesting that gut reactions and fear may have been more crucial for our ancestors than logical reasoning. It highlights the importance of both logical and illogical thinking in different contexts, and the value of emotion and intuition alongside rational thought.

Takeaways
  • 🧠 The human brain may not be naturally wired for logical thinking, as evidenced by the common struggle with mathematics.
  • 📉 There is a societal acceptance, and even pride, in being bad at math, which is not mirrored in other areas of ignorance.
  • 🌞 People often lack basic scientific knowledge, such as the time it takes for the Earth to orbit the Sun, and this ignorance is sometimes normalized.
  • 🤔 The challenge of thinking rationally, logically, and scientifically is a significant one for human beings.
  • 🧐 Generalizing from mathematics to logic suggests that many people can be extremely illogical in various aspects of life.
  • 🏞️ Our ancestors may have relied more on instinctual 'gut' reactions for survival rather than logic, especially in dangerous environments.
  • 🦁 Curiosity and scientific inquiry can sometimes be detrimental to survival, as it may lead to risky behavior.
  • 🎨 Art and creativity are examples of human endeavors that are not based on logic, highlighting the importance of non-logical thinking.
  • 🧘 Some people prioritize feelings over thinking, suggesting a complex interplay between logic and emotion in human experience.
  • 🏃 In survival situations, it might be more advantageous to react to low-probability threats out of fear rather than rely solely on logical assessment.
  • ⚖️ The balance between logical and illogical thinking has likely played a crucial role in the development of human civilization.
Q & A

  • Why do people often struggle with mathematics?

    -People often struggle with mathematics because it requires a high level of logical thinking, which the human brain may not be naturally wired for.

  • What is the common attitude towards being bad at mathematics?

    -There is often an unwarranted pride or a joking attitude about being bad at mathematics, which is not commonly found in other areas of ignorance like literature.

  • Why would the British newspaper editor joke about a basic astronomical fact?

    -The editor's joke reflects a societal acceptance or even a lighthearted pride in being ignorant about certain scientific facts, which would not be acceptable in other areas of knowledge.

  • What challenges do humans face in thinking rationally, logically, and scientifically?

    -Humans face the challenge of overcoming natural tendencies towards illogical thinking and gut reactions, which may have been more beneficial for survival in our evolutionary past.

  • Why might our ancestors have not needed logic for survival?

    -In the presence of immediate threats like lions, drought, and famine, quick, instinctive reactions might have been more crucial for survival than slow, deliberate logical thinking.

  • What is the role of curiosity in survival situations?

    -Curiosity can be a double-edged sword in survival situations; while it drives investigation and learning, it can also lead to unnecessary risks, as illustrated by the anecdote about the cousin who got electrocuted.

  • How does the transcript suggest that human civilization has been influenced by illogical thinking?

    -The transcript suggests that much of human civilization, including art and cultural practices, has been shaped by illogical thinking rather than purely logical or scientific reasoning.

  • What is the significance of art in relation to logical thinking?

    -Art, exemplified by Van Gogh's 'Starry Night', represents a form of human expression that is not bound by logic. It serves as a reminder that not all valuable human endeavors are logical.

  • Why might some people prefer to 'feel' rather than 'think'?

    -Some people may prefer to 'feel' rather than 'think' because emotional experiences can be more immediate and satisfying, and they may not always align with logical or rational analysis.

  • What is the survival advantage of reacting to potential threats without logical analysis?

    -Reacting to potential threats without logical analysis can be a survival advantage because it allows for rapid response to danger, even if the threat is low probability, as the cost of being wrong is less than the cost of being harmed.

  • How does the transcript challenge the idea that humans are naturally logical beings?

    -The transcript challenges this idea by discussing the prevalence of illogical thinking in human behavior, societal attitudes, and the arts, suggesting that our brains may not be as wired for logic as we assume.

Outlines
00:00
🧠 The Human Mind's Struggle with Logic and Mathematics

The speaker begins by discussing the human mind's capacity for knowledge, thought, and belief, particularly in relation to mathematics. They note the common difficulty people face with the subject, questioning why, if our brains were wired for logical thinking, math wouldn't be the easiest subject. The speaker suggests that there might be a societal pride in admitting to being bad at math, which is not mirrored in other areas such as literature. They also highlight a societal lack of basic scientific knowledge, using an anecdote about a British newspaper's stance on a fundamental astronomical fact. The paragraph touches on the idea that our ancestors may not have needed logic to survive, and that perhaps curiosity and scientific inquiry, while valuable, were not essential for early human survival. It ends by contrasting logical thinking with the role of emotion and intuition in human civilization, exemplified through the appreciation of art.

05:02
🐆 Survival Instincts vs. Logical Thinking

This paragraph delves into the concept of survival and the role of illogical thinking in it. The speaker argues that in life-threatening situations, the human instinct might be to act on lower probability outcomes, such as fleeing at the slightest sign of danger even when the logical explanation might be something harmless like wind rustling the trees. They emphasize that the cost of ignoring one's gut feeling in favor of logic could be high in terms of personal safety, even if the logical conclusion is statistically more likely to be correct. The paragraph suggests that while logic is important, the human instinct for survival may sometimes override it, reflecting on the complex interplay between instinct and reason in decision-making.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Logical thinking
Logical thinking refers to the process of reasoning in which every step is justified by the previous one. In the video, it is discussed as a fundamental cognitive ability that one might expect to be innately wired in humans, especially given its potential usefulness in survival. However, the speaker challenges this assumption, suggesting that widespread difficulties with subjects like mathematics indicate that our brains may not be as naturally inclined towards logic as we might assume.
💡Mathematics
Mathematics is a field that deals with the properties and relationships of numbers, shapes, and patterns. It is often seen as the epitome of logical thinking. The video script uses mathematics as an example of a subject that many people struggle with, leading to the assertion that if our brains were truly wired for logic, we would find mathematics to be the easiest subject.
💡Survival instincts
Survival instincts are the innate, natural responses that help humans avoid danger and ensure self-preservation. The video discusses how these instincts may sometimes override logical thinking, as in the case of reacting to a potential threat without fully assessing the situation logically. This is illustrated by the hypothetical example of reacting to rustling in the trees, where the gut reaction might be to flee, even though logically, it's more likely to be the wind.
💡Illogical thinking
Illogical thinking is the process of forming conclusions or making decisions without adhering to a structured, logical sequence. The video explores the idea that much of human civilization and creativity, such as art, may be a product of illogical thinking. It contrasts this with logical thinking and suggests that our brains might be more inclined towards the former, especially in situations where survival is at stake.
💡Human brain
The human brain is the central organ of the nervous system, responsible for cognitive functions and behaviors. The video script ponders whether the human brain is wired for logical thinking, using mathematics as a barometer. It suggests that the brain might not be as logically inclined as we might think, which has implications for how we approach problem-solving and decision-making.
💡Curiosity
Curiosity is the desire to learn or know more about something or someone. In the context of the video, curiosity is portrayed as a double-edged sword. While it can drive scientific inquiry and discovery, it can also lead to dangerous situations, as illustrated by the anecdote about a child who repeatedly touched a live electrical wire out of curiosity.
💡Fear
Fear is an emotional response to a perceived threat or danger. The video discusses fear as a survival mechanism that might not always align with logical thinking. It suggests that in a survival context, fearing something that logic might deem safe can be advantageous, as it prompts a rapid response to potential threats.
💡Rational explanation
A rational explanation is a logical and coherent account or reasoning for a belief or an action. The video contrasts rational explanations with gut reactions, particularly in the context of survival. It points out that while rationality might suggest that a rustling in the trees is the wind, the prudent action from a survival perspective might be to assume it's a threat.
💡Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe. The video script touches on the idea that being scientific or logical may not always be advantageous, especially in situations where immediate action is required for survival.
💡Ignorance
Ignorance refers to a lack of knowledge, understanding, or awareness in general. The video script discusses societal attitudes towards ignorance in different subjects. It contrasts the shame associated with being ignorant of literature with the casual acceptance or even pride in being bad at mathematics, suggesting a cultural bias towards certain types of knowledge.
💡Art
Art is a diverse range of human activities involving creative or imaginative expression, often intended to be appreciated for their beauty or emotional power. The video uses art as an example of a field that is not governed by logic. It questions the need for logic in creating something as emotionally resonant as Van Gogh's 'Starry Night,' suggesting that illogical thinking can lead to profound human achievements.
Highlights

The human mind's capacity to know, think, and believe is discussed, particularly in relation to mathematics.

The common struggle with mathematics suggests that the human brain may not be naturally wired for logical thinking.

An observation that there's an unwarranted pride in being bad at mathematics, unlike other subjects like Shakespeare.

A British newspaper article highlights public ignorance about the Earth's orbit around the Sun, with an editor's joking response.

The contrast between acceptable ignorance in some areas versus pride in knowledge in others, such as literature.

The challenge of thinking rationally, logically, and scientifically as a human.

The generalization from mathematical ability to overall logical thinking skills.

The acknowledgment that many people are illogical, yet still lead fine lives.

A humorous anecdote about curiosity and its potential drawbacks for survival, illustrated by a cousin's experience.

The suggestion that our ancestors may have relied more on gut reactions than logic for survival.

The importance of quick, instinctual fear responses in primitive environments for survival.

The notion that human civilization has been shaped by both logical and illogical thinking.

The role of art as an example of human expression that is not necessarily grounded in logic.

The idea that some people prefer to feel rather than think, and the implications of this for logical discourse.

The debate on the necessity of illogical or gut-based decision-making in hostile environments for survival.

The discussion on the cost-benefit analysis of fear responses in survival situations, weighing the probability of threats.

The prudent approach to survival may sometimes require acting on lower probability but dangerous possibilities.

Transcripts

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Human LogicInstinctual ThinkingSurvivalMathematicsCultural PerceptionIgnoranceAstronomyRationalityCuriosityScienceArtEmotional ResponseSurvival InstinctsRisk AssessmentCognitive Bias